Tooth-brush



(No Model.)

L. T. Toss. V TOOTH BRUSH. No. 479,796.

Patented Aug. 2. 189.2.`

ams persas zo., muvo-uma., wnsnwnv NITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

LEVIS TfFOSS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TOOTH-BRUSH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 479,796, dated August 2, 1892.

Application led September 19, 1891. Serial No. 406,234. (No model.)

To all whom, it Weary concern,.-

Be it known that l, LEWIS T. FOSS, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tooth-Brushes, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

My invention relates to tooth-brushes; and it consists of a combination handle and case so constructed as to afford complete protection to the brush when carried in the pocket.

The object of my invention is to furnish a device by means of which atooth-brush may, without reducing its efficiency when in use, be made a convenient size and shape to be carried in the pocket., to completely protect the brush from dirt and the pocket from moisture when so carried, and to makeit possible to renew the brush at slight cost.

With these ends in view my invention consists of the device shown in the accompanying drawings, referring to which- Figure l is a front elevation of my device when closed, the location of the brush being indicated by dotted lines. The figure at the left of Fig. l is a side elevation of the smaller end of the device, and the figure at the right of Fig. l is a side elevation of the larger end of the device, both showing the same closed. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the device when open and shows the door which covers the brush when closed also open. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the blade of my device and shows dovetail flanges on the same designed to receive and hold the brush. Fi g. 4: is a perspective view of the brush when not attached to the blade. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the brush and blade, showing the manner of securing the brush to the blade. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the device when closed. (See line Fig. l.) Fig. 7 is another transverse section of the device when closed. (See line 0c', Fig. l.)

Corresponding letters in the several iigures of the drawings designate like parts, referring to which* A is a box-handle or case. the same, opening outward.

Cis the blade, to which the brush is secured. One end of this blade is pivoted to the boxhandle or case A by means of the screw e, which passes through the opening f.

B is a door to d is the brush, the back of which is dovetailed to fit between the dovetail fianges of the blade C. yThe back of the brush slides into the blade from the outer end between the dovetail flanges in the manner indicated in Fig. 5, and is held in position by means of a screw.

e is a screw by means of which the blade C is jointed or pivoted to the box-handle or case 5A.

y! jlis the hole in the end ofthe blade, through which the screw e passes.

g is a spring, which is riveted to the inside of the box-handle or case A and is designed to hold the blade in position either open or shut. Its operation is similar` to that of the spring in an ordinary pocket-knife.

h is a retaining-spring conveniently arranged for keeping the door B closed and for closing it when open.

i is a stop to which one end of the spring h is secured.

j is a screw, which retains the brush in position in the blade C.

It will be seen in Fig. l that-there is asmall flange on thelower edge of the door B (marked B) and a similar one on the upper side of the blade C, (marked C.) These flanges are to assist in preparing the device for use.

vThe method of use may be briey described as follows: The device being closed, as seen in Fig. l, to prepare it for use, open the door B, using the flange B. This operation eX- poses the brush within the handle A. Then open the blade outward, using the flange C. This carries with it the brush. The device is now as shown in Fig. 2. Next releasethe hold on the door B, and the same is closed by the spring h. The device is now ready for use.

The case A, it will be readily seen, forms a A IOO out of the blade. Then slide the new brush into the blade and replace the screwj.

The handle and blade are practicallyindestructible and can be used indenitely; and as new brushes can be provided at a much less cost than the ordinary tooth-brusli,owing to the absence of the usual handle, it will be seen that my device is economical as well as pletely protects the brush, and, second, because when closed it is a convenient length for carrying in the pocket.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

, The combination of a toothbrush and blade held together by means of a dovetail and screw, a back spring g, hollow handle-case, door, and retention-spring h, all as shown, and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereot` I have signed my naine to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 16th day of September, A. D. 1891.

LEWIS T. FOSS.

Witnesses:

HENRY EMERSON MACDONALD. CHAs. A. MAYNARD. 

